IowaJones/Biographies/J. Foxall

J. Foxall–W. N. French

John Foxall
Born June 11, 1827

JOHN FOXALL, of the firm of Foxall & Barnes, undertaking, wood-turning and repairing, Main street, Anamosa; is a native of England, and was born June 11, 1827; he grew up to manhood and learned his business there; he came to America in 1850, and lived in Galena, Ill., five years; came to Iowa in 1855, and lived in Dubuque and in Clayton Co.; he came to Joncs Co. and located in Anamosa in 1859, and since then he has been engaged in his present business. He married Miss Martha Howel1, a native of England, in 1849; she died in January, 1869, leaving two daughters-Clara and Eva. Clara married J. S. Barnes January 1, 1873; he was born in Rockland Co., N.Y., March 4, 1850; he grew up to manhood there, and came to Iowa and located here, in Anamosa, in 1870, and is associated in business with Mr. Foxall. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have two children—George E. and John B.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 557.

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Madison Franks
Born 1833

MADISON FRANKS, farmer, Cass Twp., Sec. 5; P.O. Anamosa; was born in Licking Co., Ohio, in 1833; his parents, James and Elizabeth Franks, died in Ohio; Mr. Pranks came to Linn Co., Iowa, about 1852, where he lived one year; he then returned to Ohio, but came back to Linn Co. in 1854, where he again remained about one year. He was married, in 1857, to Elizabeth Carlisle, born in Hampshire Co., Va., March 7, 1835; her parents were natives of Virginia; they settled in Clark Co., Ohio, about 1836; then removed to Champaign Co., where they lived about ten years; they removed to Logan Co. about 1848. Mr. Franks came to Jones Co. and settled on his present farm in the spring of 1864. Has four children—Emma, Willie, Lavenia and Dora M.; have lost one son—Hernando. Mr. and Mrs. Franks formerly belonged to the United Brethren; at present, to the Evangelical Church.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 695.

S. G. Franks
Born February 4, 1844

S. G. FRANKS, farmer, Wyoming Twp., Sec. 29; P.O. Wyoming; he was born February 4, 1844, in Cascade, Jones Co., Iowa; his parents emigrated to this county in 1841, from Ohio; his father died May 14, 1858, aged 60 years. He owns forty acres of land adjoining the town of Wyoming. Married Miss H. J. Litton in 1868; she was born in 1849; her parents came to Dubuque Co. in 1846, and are living in Prairie Creek Township; they have five children—Fannie, Sadie, John, Ida and Katie. Democrat.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 601.

H. C. Freeman
Born 1833

H. C. FREEMAN, farmer, Hale Twp., Sec. 33; P.O. Clarence; born in Ohio in 1833 (Butler Co.); came to Iowa in 1851; entered, with the family, 260 acres, and now owns 325 acres, and has made all the improvements on the place; has a fine house, barn and things in general good order. In religion, liberal; in politics, Republican. Enlisted in the 9th I.V.I., in 1861; discharged in 1862, and re-enlisted as 2d Lieutenant in 31st I.V.I. in 1864, and was mustered out in 1863; at present is one of the County Board of Supervisors. His wife, Nancy A. Patten, was born in Tippecanoe Co., Ind., February 11, 1840; married February 22, 1860, and have six children—Harry H., Galusha, Earl Clifford, May, Mat and Blanch.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 639.

Hamilton Freeman
Born 1830

HAMIILTON FREEMAN, farmer, Hale Twp., Sec. 27; P.O. Clarence; born in Ohio in 1830; came to Iowa in 1851; his father and the brothers entered 560 acres, and he now owns 250 acres, on which he has made all of the improvements; has a fine barn and house, and is largely engaged in stock-raising. He has been Collector, Road Supervisor, Trustee and School Director. His wife, Agnes Moor, was born in Ireland in 1830; came to Iowa in 1852, and settled in Cedar Co.; married in 1853, and has had eight children—James M. (died in 1877), Elizabeth (now the wife of a son of Senator Kent, of Cedar Co.), Charles H., Benjamin, Annie, Willie, Harry and Maggie. In politics, is a Republican; in religion, liberal.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 639.

John O. French
Born 1827

JOHN O. FRENCH, lumber, Olin; born in New Hampshire in 1827, and, in 1856, went to Eau Claire Co, Wis.; was County Treasurer in 1858-59; came to Iowa in 1872, and owns town property; has one of the finest dwellings in the village. Has been School Director and Trustee of the M.E. Church. In politics, Republican. His wife, Ellen Hutchinson, was born in Norwich, Vt., in 1832; married October 10, 1861; had six children—Anne, Sarah, Isabella, John O. and Charles H. Nellie died in 1872.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 647.

Joseph French
Born 1823

JOSEPH FRENCH, farmer, Clay Twp., Sec. 21; P.O. Canton; was born in Greene Co., Penn., in 1823; in 1830, he removed with his parents to Licking Co., Ohio, where he lived until 1846, when he moved to Clay Township, Jones Co., Iowa; in 1849, he went to Noble Co., Ind., and there married his first wife, Mish Catherine Sinkey; in 1852, they removed to where he now resides and remained one year, then moved to Brandon Township, Jackson Co., where his first wife died; there were two children by this marriage-Charlotte (now the wife of Richard Demoss, Jackson Co., Iowa), Angeline (now Mrs. Andrew Gracey, of this township); in the latter part of 1854, Mr. French returned to Clay Township, and, in 1856, married his present wife, Gracie C. Beaver; their children are William N. (who married Agnes Orr), Mary J., James M., Sarah J. and Amanda A. Mr. French owns 240 acres of land; his farm is finely improved, and he is one of the well-to-do farmers of Clay Township. In politics, Mr. F. is a Democrat.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 703, and submitted by Joanne Moreta

W. N. French
Born October 23, 1857

W. N. French, a substantial and enterprising agriculturist of Madison township, where he owns an excellent farm of two hundred and ten acres, is likewise well known as a raiser of shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. His birth occurred in Clay township, Jones county, Iowa, on the 23d of October, 1857, his parents being Joseph and Grace C. (Beaver) French. They were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively and came to this state as young people. Joseph French, who arrived in Iowa in 1846, spent about two years in Jackson county and then went to Indiana, where he remained for a similar period. Subsequently he returned to Jackson county, Iowa, where he entered a quarter section of government land and made his home for three years. At the end of that time he came to Jones county and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Clay township at eight dollars per acre.

In the year 1883 he took up his abode in Madison township, where he bought the farm of two hundred and ten acres which is now in possession of his son, W. N. After residing thereon for four years he put aside the active work of the fields and removed to Wyoming, where he lived retired until the time of his demise in 1900. His political allegiance was given to the men and measures of the democracy, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. He took an active and helpful part in the work of the church and served in various official capacities. His upright and honorable life gained him the esteem of a large circle of friends and he was widely recognized as a most substantial and respected citizen of the community. His widow, who still survives him, has attained the age of seventy-three years and now makes her home with a daughter in Wyoming. She is a devoted member of the United Presbyterian church and is highly esteemed for her many good traits of heart and mind.

In his youthful days W. N. French attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education, and when not busy with his text-books he gave his father the benefit of his services in the work of the home farm, thus early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist.

He was married when a young man of twenty-one years and subsequently farmed a portion of the home place for three years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Delaware county, where he was engaged in the cultivation of a rented farm for three years. In the meantime he had chosen a location for his future home in Nebraska and had already begun making preparations for his removal to that state but was dissuaded from his purpose by his father, who, retiring from active life, wished him to purchase and conduct the home farm in Madison township, this county. His time and energies have since been given to the further cultivation and improvement of this property, and his labors as an agriculturist have been rewarded with a gratifying and commendable measure of success. He likewise raises shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs and feeds all the grain which his farm produces, feeding a carload of cattle annually.

In 1878 Mr. French was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary A. Orr of Dubuque county, Iowa, by whom he had eleven children, ten of whom still survive, namely: Nellie V., the wife of N. A. Huston, of Stanley county, South Dakota; Lillian B., the wife of Charles Buck, of Stevens county, Washington; Grace M., who is assistant bookkeeper in a mercantile establishment at Cedar Rapids; and James E., Cecil R., Elta A., Mildred, Lester D., Elizabeth 1. and Dorothy L., all of whom are at home.

Where national questions and issues are involved Mr. French votes the democratic ticket but at local elections casts his ballot for the candidate whom he believes best qualified for office, regardless of party affiliation. His fraternal relations are with Wyoming Lodge, No. 147, I.0.0.F., and Wyoming Camp, No. 183, M.W.A. He has a wide and favorable acquaintance throughout the community in which he resides and has gained enviable recognition among the representative and progressive citizens of his native county.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 173.